On a sweltering day in June 1974, a group of housewives, graduate students, and young professionals gathered in the Boston suburbs. Their mission: to produce the first issue of Exponent II, a “humble yet sincere” newspaper “poised on the dual platforms of Mormonism and Feminism.” They viewed their work as an act of devotion, not rebellion, and were naïve of the cold reception they would soon receive from LDS Church leaders. Nevertheless, the paper became a national platform connecting Mormon feminists. It provided a vital space for them to question and integrate different aspects of their dual—and sometimes dueling—identities. From the Equal Rights Amendment to queer identity, Exponent II has hosted some of the most urgent conversations of its time while also embracing life’s dailiness.

This comprehensive history and anthology celebrate five decades of Exponent II. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the authors chronicle the organization’s evolution from a kitchen-table-style newspaper to a quarterly magazine, blog, and annual retreat. Its transformative impact on the lives of its participants stands as a testament to the power of connection, resilience, and community over ideological purity.

Katie Ludlow Rich is a writer and independent scholar of Mormon women’s history. Her work focuses on centering women’s voices and their agentive decisions even when functioning within a patriarchal tradition. She has a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in English, both from Brigham Young University. Her writing has appeared in Exponent II, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, the Journal of Mormon History, and the Salt Lake Tribune. She lives in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

Heather Sundahl believes in the power of stories. In pursuit of this, she has volunteered with Exponent II for twenty-eight years. As a writer and editor, Heather works to amplify the voices of marginalized folks and has collected the oral histories of Batswana, South African, Native American, and queer Mormon women. She received an MA in English from BYU in 1994 and an MA in Marriage & Family Therapy from UVU in 2023. Heather currently works at a residential treatment center where she helps her teenage clients find narratives that promote growth and healing. She lives in Orem, Utah.